growth for the 14th straight year, adding jobs at a projected
rate of 2.4% and topping the national rate of 1.5%. Nearly
10% of American workers—or 13.1 million people—drew
paychecks from the restaurant industry in 2013. The NRA
also reports that the restaurant industry is expected to add 1.3
million jobs over the next decade for a total of 14. 4 million
by 2023.

The “Better Pizza” Movement

Pizza, the old joke goes, is like sex: When it’s good, it’s great,
and when it’s bad, it’s still pretty good. Fortunately, with the
rising popularity of artisan pizza, bad pies are getting harder to
find. Many consumers today simply demand more from pizza
makers, and pizzerias have stepped up to the challenge. It’s all
part of the so-called “better pizza” movement, which has kept
pace with the “better beer” and “better burger” trends. Cheap
and basic often just doesn’t cut it anymore. The freshness of
farm-to-table ingredients creates the perception of a healthier pie, while exotic cheeses and meats—think Gruyère and
sopressata—convey an aura of sophistication and provide a
new experience in flavor profiles.

“The consumer is really starting to figure things out, and
everybody’s looking at quality,” says Scott Wiener, owner of
Scott’s Pizza Tours in New York. “In part, I think that’s because
the consumer base is more educated today. People know more
about what they’re eating. When they walk into a pizzeria now,
they’ll ask you if you’re using San Marzano tomatoes or buffalo
mozzarella cheese.”